At RAK DAO, we believe that harnessing and nurturing world-class talent is the key to sustainable success in today’s dynamic and competitive business landscape.
We foster a culture of innovation, synergy, and collaboration, where open communication, shared goals, and respect for diverse perspectives are promoted and valued. This allows us to tap into all our members’ collective knowledge and expertise, leading to better problem-solving, decision-making, and results.
Board Members
Sheikh Mohammed bin Humaid bin Abdullah Al Qasimi
Board Member
Dr. Sameer Al Ansari
Board Member
Henri Arslanian
Board Member
The RAK DAO team
Meet the geniuses responsible for RAK DAO’s success!
Dr. Sameer Al Ansari
CEO
Dr. Sameer Al Ansari is the Chief Executive Officer of RAK Digital Assets Oasis the only free zone in the world solely dedicated to non-regulated digital and virtual asset companies.
Under the wise leadership of HH The Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and oversight of its Chairman Sheikh Mohammed Bin Humaid Al Qassimi, Dr Sameer has played a key role in the creation of RAK DAO, building the team and shaping its future strategy.
He is also the CEO of RAK ICC, one of the fastest-growing government-owned offshore corporate registries; Dr. Al Ansari is a UK-qualified chartered accountant with over 35 years of senior corporate, operational, private equity, investing, board, and strategic advisory experience. He currently serves on several boards, including Marjan, TVM Healthcare Partners and Al Ramz Capital.
Dr. Al Ansari’s vast leadership experience includes roles in numerous regional and international boards, such as the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) from 2004–2016, Hawkamah Institute of Corporate Governance, Dubai Holding, and Dubai International Capital.
Luc Froehlich
CCO
Luc Froehlich is the Chief Commercial Officer of RAK DAO, the world's first and only Free Zone with Common Law features established to support digital assets companies.
As the former Global Head of Digital Assets Solutions at Fidelity International, Luc brings a wealth of experience in establishing and running businesses in the digital assets space. His contribution to the industry also includes research he authored for the World Economic Forum, from the impact of distributed ledger technology in capital markets, the use of stablecoins for financial inclusion, to the macroeconomic impact of central bank digital currencies and cryptocurrencies.
His previous professional experience includes asset management, where he managed portfolios for central banks and pension funds, and investment banking, as a proprietary trader in credit derivatives. Since 2017 and beyond his corporate roles, Luc has been advising tech start-up at the cutting edge of financial innovation and guest lecturing on digital assets at various universities.
Luc holds a Master’s degree in Economics and Business Administration from the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, and a Master of Science in Blockchain and Digital Currency from the University of Nicosia, Cyprus. He is also a CFA and CAIA charter holder.
Frank Amankwah
CTO
Frank Amankwah our Chief Technology Officer, is responsible for technology strategy, architecture, engineering, operations, and information security for RAK Digital Assets Oasis.
He is also passionate about attracting, nurturing, and inspiring leaders to build high-performing teams and leading technology organizations through periods of rapid change.
Prior to joining RAK Digital Assets Oasis, Frank was the Chief Technology Officer at Rain, the largest, regulated cryptocurrency brokerage servicing the Middle East and North Africa regions. He started his career in software engineering and has held several technology leadership positions at Emirates Airline, Gamesys Group (now Bally’s Interactive), Amazon.com, Blackrock Asset Management, UBS, Goldman Sachs, and HSBC.
Frank holds a bachelor’s degree in information systems & Management from Birkbeck College, University of London and a postgraduate diploma in Software Engineering from the University of Oxford.
Sabrina Staats Sherif
Head of Marketing
Sabrina Staats Sherif, a certified blockchain and digital marketing professional, brings her expertise as the Head of Digital Marketing to RAK Digital Assets Oasis, where she plays a crucial role. With a creative flair and a can-do attitude, Sabrina’s
contributions are invaluable to RAK DAO’s marketing endeavors. Her extensive marketing experience spans various sectors, including tourism, healthcare, technology, and design. Combining her solid skills in public relations, market research, and customer relationship management, Sabrina adds a unique touch to her creative prowess in photography and design tools.
Since 2014, Sabrina has excelled in helping companies communicate value propositions and connect with target audiences. She bridges the gap between businesses and their audiences by utilizing her expertise in web development, public relations, and social media.
Moreover, Sabrina’s recognition as one of the Top 25 Emerging Women in Digital in 2023 further attests to her exceptional skills and contributions to the field.
Sabrina holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.) in International Business Management from Inholland University of Applied Sciences. She has also expanded her skill set by pursuing studies in Digital Art and Media/Multimedia at the ArtEZ University of the Arts, enhancing her versatility in various domains.
Ashwini Pujari
Director Human Resources
Ashwini Pujari is the Human Resources Director of RAK Digital Assets Oasis leading the people programmes for the organisation. She is a strategic HR leader who strives to enable business and leaders through effective people programs.
She is passionate about creating a compelling employee value proposition and culture that attracts, nurtures, and inspires talent to fosters innovation & adaptability to drive sustainable growth.
Ashwini comes with diverse experience across multinationals and start-ups, in various industries such as cyber security, secure communications, oil and gas, aerospace, IT services and big data. She has enabled businesses across multiple geographies like India, Middle East, Central Asia, Africa, Canada and Finland.
Prior to joining RAK DAO, she had various HR roles at Accenture, Rolls-Royce and KATIM. She believes in Unlocking Human Potential for Organizational Success.
Alan Bougourd
Registrar
Alan Bougourd RAK ICC’s appointed Registrar, ensures effective governance, strategic decision-making, and regulatory compliance.
With a wealth of experience exceeding two decades in the Guernsey financial services industry, Alan has held key positions including Managing Director of Skipton International and Country Manager and Head of Woolwich Guernsey at Barclays Private Clients International Limited. His impact on the sector has been remarkable, evident through his tenure as Chairman of the Association of Guernsey Banks and Deputy Chairman of the Guernsey International Business Association.
Alan’s educational accomplishments include a Financial Services Degree acquired through the Chartered Institute of Bankers and an MSc in Corporate Governance from Bournemouth University, pursued at the GTA University Centre.
Furthermore, he holds the prestigious designation of a Chartered Director.
Nabil Arnous
Executive Director Commercial
Nabil Arnous leverages his extensive experience and proven leadership to serve as the Executive Director (Commercial) and Client Experience Expert at RAK DAO. His career demonstrates a consistent ability to drive revenue growth across industries.
Before joining RAK DAO, Mr. Arnous held the positions of Director of Revenue & Strategy and Acting CEO at SPC Free Zone. He also managed corporate sales at Sharjah Media City and represented Roda Hotels & Resorts at industry events. Throughout his career, he has consistently shown a talent for strategic development, taking initiatives from concept to completion.
His unique perspective, honed through a background in hospitality, informs his approach to overseeing and leading RAK DAO's commercial strategy. He focuses on maximizing revenue generation, identifying and capitalizing on growth opportunities, and building strategic partnerships to solidify RAK DAO's position in the digital assets industry.
Nabil has a successful history of planning and tracking performance for revenue-generating projects. With his recently acquired MBA, he adds more knowledge to his 10+ years of experience in multiple sales, strategy and revenue roles.
Meng Chan Shu
Director of Partnerships
Meng Chan Shu brings over two decades of experience in financial management, business development, and strategic partnerships to his role as Director of Partnerships at RAK Digital Assets Oasis.
With a deep understanding of both traditional and digital financial landscapes, Meng has been instrumental in forging key alliances that drive innovation in blockchain technology, AI, and digital assets.
Meng’s career includes leadership roles at Connect Blockchain, Mixin Ltd, and the Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange, where he consistently led complex projects, strategic partnerships, and innovative financial products.
As CEO of Connect Blockchain, Meng drove the company’s blockchain expansion, focusing on liquidity and emerging markets. At Mixin Ltd, he implemented strategies that scaled Web3 initiatives, boosting user adoption. At the Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange, Meng was pivotal in launching products like Offshore Chinese Yuan Futures and securing MOUs with major Asian financial institutions.
His career highlights include building sales pipelines, managing key relationships, and aligning financial strategies with long-term goals. Meng’s investments in AI, fintech, and emerging technologies emphasize his commitment to financial innovation.
Meng holds a MA in Economics, Quantitative Analysis, and a BSBA in Economics and Finance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His credentials are further enhanced by his Certified Financial Planner (CFP) certification. Fluent in Chinese, English, and Malay, Meng's multilingual skills and broad expertise contribute to his effective partnership management at RAK DAO.
Amit Arora
Head of Partnerships
Amit Arora joins RAK Digital Assets Oasis as the Head of Partnerships, bringing over 12 years of extensive experience in sales, marketing, customer relations, and strategic management. Amit has a proven track record in developing and executing long-term strategic initiatives focused on growth, margin maximization, and operational excellence.
Before joining RAK DAO, Amit was the Head of Global Partnerships at Blade Group, a Singaporean open-source ecosystem builder on the Hedera Hashgraph network. In this role, he was instrumental in establishing and nurturing strategic relationships within the Web3 ecosystem, driven by his expertise and deep-rooted passion for blockchain technology and its transformative potential for business.
His expertise extends to government relations and policy involvement. During his tenure at CrossTower, Amit was pivotal in shaping India's crypto policy, collaborating with influential entrepreneurs and government bodies, including the Ministry of Finance, CBDT, and BACC. His efforts helped to establish CrossTower's presence in India and the Gulf.
Amit holds an MBA from Cardiff University and a Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering from B.M. Institute of Engineering & Technology. With his extensive experience, fluency in English, and elementary proficiency in French, Amit is well-prepared to lead RAK DAO's partnership initiatives into a promising future and instill confidence in the team and stakeholders
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